Moore Is 'Jumpy' but Fine In His Return From Injury

JUPITER, Fla., March 15 -- After missing nearly two weeks with an injury in his lower abdomen and groin, Baltimore Orioles hopeful Scott Moore went 1 for 3 during Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Florida Marlins.

"I kind of felt jumpy the first couple of at-bats," said Moore, who struck out on three pitches and flied out in his first two plate appearances.

But Moore singled hard to right in the sixth inning, putting his spring average at .529 (9 of 17). His hitting has vaulted him into contention for a roster spot as a utility player.

"He was anxious, I thought, in his first two at-bats," Manager Dave Trembley said. "But I asked him after how he felt, he said he felt great, 100 percent physically."

If he feels well on Sunday, Trembley said, Moore will play first base against the Washington Nationals.

"I don't feel any pain," Moore said. "I feel fine. Now it's just getting back into the speed of the game as far as slowing myself down at the plate."

As the Rotation Turns

Trembley said right-hander Matt Albers, a candidate for the fifth starter's spot, may get his first start in a major league spring game next week. Albers has allowed two runs in five innings this spring.

"We may have something to say about that tomorrow when we look at how we're going to set it up coming out of the off-day on Monday," Trembley said.

Albers, one of five players acquired when the Orioles traded Miguel Tejada to Houston, started a minor league game earlier this week. . . .

Trembley said he is not sure whether fifth-starter hopeful Garrett Olson will make another spring start, though he could pitch in relief. . . .

Starter Steve Trachsel struggled on Saturday, allowing five runs in four innings, including three in the fourth.

"He pitched well with the exception of the three hitters in a row: the walk, the hit batter and the walk," Trembley said of Trachsel's fourth-inning problems. "Other than that we got him stretched out to 75 pitches, and that was a positive."